You and your fiancé are merging your souls — and your money. Here, financial facts to figure out before the big day
You may be a cash-and-carry kind of girl and he may be a credit-is-king kind of guy but once you’re a couple, it’s best to get your money matters on the same page. For example, you need to know about one another’s saving and spending habits like how often (if ever) you balance your checkbooks, pay your credit lines, and research big purchases before you buy.
No doubt about it — a frank financial discussion now can head off potential trouble later.
Money Questions to Ask Each Other
1. Do you carry around a lot of cash?
If either one of you carries around a lot of money, it could mean one of a few things: You’re trying to flaunt your wealth; you’re oblivious to the fact that carrying a lot of cash is not a safe practice; or you like to spend wads of it carelessly. Get your betrothed or yourself into the habit of keeping an ATM card handy. Debit cards also allow you to keep track of spending so you can better manage your money and accounts.
2. Do you have a checking account?
This question identifies stability. You should know if your partner has a checking account and how long he has had it. An account maintained over years shows you that he knows how to manage finances. If you are both young and just starting out, you can learn to manage your money right together.
3. Do you balance your checking account each month?
Even with today’s advanced technology, banks can make mistakes.You’ll want to know that your partner cares enough about his money to protect it and wants to prevent overdrawing on the account by keeping withdrawals and deposits in order.
4. Do you have a savings account?
This shows that your partner is thinking about the future. Over time, orderly savings can easily convert into investments to help build wealth.
5. How many credit cards do you have?
Too many credit cards could indicate that your partner is an out of-control spender. How many is too many can be hard to judge, as it depends on a few factors, including your debt-to-credit ratio. Ideally, your credit utilization should be less than 30 percent of your total credit. However, if you find yourself sifting through a
stack of plastic, that is usually a sign that you have too many.
6. Do you carry and use your credit cards?
Of course, in today’s world, there are certain purchases that are best made with a credit card. Reasonable use of credit cards eliminates the need to carry large amounts of cash and makes purchasing certain goods and services convenient. However, having and carrying around too many is a financial no-no. You’ll tend to overspend and accrue debt.
7. Do you use credit cards for everyday expenses?
Using credit cards for everyday expenditures, such as lunch, does not show a wise use of dollars. If the credit-card bill is not paid in full every month, you could get slammed with interest fees.
8. Do you pay your credit-card balance in full each month?
If so, this shows that you or your partner has control over spending and credit-card use. If the answer is no, encourage him or yourself to pay as much as possible each month. Making only the required minimum payments can show that you don’t have adequate control over your credit or the means to manage it.
9. Have you ever maxed out your credit cards?
Spending to the limit may negatively affect your debt-to-credit ratio on your credit reports and, again, can show that your partner is not well prepared financially or organized.
10. Do you keep receipts?
It’s important to save receipts for accounting purposes, especially around tax time. They are also invaluable in helping you keep track of your spending and accounts.
11. Do you do research before making major purchases?
A man who does his homework before making big purchases knows he can save a lot of money and get a quality product. If you are the one doing all the research, it will impress him to know how savvy you are.
12. What are your debts?
You don’t marry just the person; you also marry his debts and financial obligations. Find out about any debts or liens your fiancé may have acquired, which will affect your own financial status and future.
13. Do you track your finances? How—by computer or paper? And how often?
You’ll want to be sure that your partner is on top of his finances and knows how his money is growing—or not. Finding out if he does it by computer or on paper just tells you how he likes to organize his accounts.These days, Internet banking is popular, so it would be good if at least one of you is comfortable
with online banking.
14. Do you have a budget or a spending plan?
This answer shows how organized your partner is. It is also helpful in knowing each other’s plans about money for the present and the future, to help eliminate any financial obstacles and misunderstandings that might arise. You should both be on the same page regarding how money is being spent and
will be saved.
15. Do you save paycheck stubs?
Saving paycheck stubs is helpful in keeping track of and verifying your income. You may also need them to show a prospective mortgage company if you will be buying a home together.
16. Do you have health insurance?
Insurance protects your new family financial situation in case of illness. Compare who has the better insurance plan. The person who has the best benefits should consider putting the other on his or her policy after the wedding.
17. Do you have life insurance?
You both should have adequate insurance, especially if you plan on having children. In the unfortunate event that something happens to either you or your spouse, your family will be taken care of financially.
18. Are you aware of all your benefits at work?
It’s important to know the benefits that your job offers you. If you don’t, go to your human-resources department to find out what you qualify for and make sure you take advantage of it. Even discounts on a gym membership can help you save money together. Be sure to find out if and when you qualify for
a 401(k) plan and enroll.
19. Have you looked at your credit reports in the last year?
About 32 percent of Americans don’t know what is on their credit reports, which is scary, considering the fact that credit reports often contain inaccuracies. It’s important to know what your credit history and score look like to be sure you are on a good financial track or to know what threw you off.
20. Did you ever require a cosigner for a loan?
The ideal answer is no, as requiring a cosigner for a loan indicates a lack of financial preparedness. If the answer is yes, try to work together to build or repair your or your partner’s credit. A financial adviser at a reputable institution can help.
21. Are you a cosigner on anyone else’s loan?
When you cosign for any credit, you serve as the guarantor of the account, meaning if the other person for whom you co-signed does not pay, you become responsible for the account. This can seriously ruin your and your spouse’s financial stability and credit.
22. Do you have any tax or other liens pending?
You can avoid overpaying by knowing which tax breaks you could take advantage of, but you have to pay what you owe. A tax lien could cost you your home, other property, or additional money.
23. Have you ever been put into collection by a creditor?
This also indicates a lack of financial wellness, but find out why your partner defaulted on the account and if the debt was paid. If not, encourage him to get it taken care of, or work together to do so.
24. Do you own any U.S. savings bonds?
Bonds are an easy way to save and to help you set aside money for your future children’s education. If you purchase the bonds in your child’s name, you get a tax break when you redeem them.
25. Do you own any mutual funds or stocks?
Owning funds or stocks shows a commitment to building financial security and wealth. Investing on a monthly or regular basis shows stability.
译文:
结婚前,和他/她讨论一下金钱问题
你和你的女友就要永结同心了，当然你们也一起用钱了。现在，我们一起在结婚之前将用钱的问题先分析清楚。
你可能用现金购物，而他可能热衷于用信用卡。但是当你们成为夫妇了，那么这种金钱方面的事情最好能统一。举个例子，你可能要了解一下更节省的花钱习惯，如你在下一次买东西之前，你几次付清支票本，几次还清你的信用卡，几次准备买大件的东西？
不要怀疑这个，婚前一次坦诚的讨论会避免之后许多潜在的麻烦。
问对方的一些金钱方面的问题：
1、 你是不是随身携带大量现金？
如果你们中的一位习惯随身携带大量现金，那么意味着以下情况：你可能想炫耀你的财富；你没有注意到携带大量现金是一件不安全的事；或者你有大手大脚的习惯。让你或者你的未来的那位随手有一张ATM卡。借记卡可以很好的记录你的消费历史，让你更好的管理你的钱财。
2、 你是否有一个活期账户？
这个问题是问问对方的稳定性。你应该知道你的另一半是否有一个活期账户和他/她有活期账户多长时间了。当他/她有一个活期账户很长时间了，那说明他/她很善于自我管理钱财。如果你们俩都很年轻，正要开始婚姻生活，那好你们正好可以一起学习管理金钱了。
3、 每个月有没有结算一下你的活期账户？
尽管现在有先进的技术，但是银行还是会出错的。你应该了解他/她足够的小心谨慎以来保护手中的财产，每个月都有规律的存取钱以防透支。
4、 你有没有一个储蓄账户（利息高于定期账户）？
这表明他/她着眼于未来。假以时日，这种有规律的储蓄有可以很容易成为你的一个投资基金，从而帮你赢得更多的财富。
5、 你有多少张信用卡？
太多的信用卡表明他/她无法对钱进行有效的控制。多少才算多这很判断，因为它取决于一些因素，如你的贷存比率。理想的情况是你的贷款额不超过你存款的30%。如果你发现自己每次购物付款时，总是在一大堆卡中仔细选来选去时，这通常是你有太多信用卡的一个信号了。
6、 你带信用卡并用它吗？
当然，在现在这个年月，有一些购物用信用卡是很好的。合理的使用信用卡可以减少携带大量现金的麻烦，同时让购物更加方便。然而过多的使用信用卡是个人经济事务上一个禁忌，这样会使你透支产生债务。
7、 你每一天的花费都使用使用卡吗？
每一天的花费都使用信用卡，譬如吃个午饭，这样使用是不明智的。如果每个月你没有全额付清信用卡，那么你所要多支付的利息就让乱抓了。
8、 你每个月是不是将信用卡都还清了？
如果是的话，说明你或你的对象能很好的使用信用卡。回答是否的话，那么你最好鼓励他或者你自己每个月还尽量多的钱还信用卡。如果每个月都是还最低还款额，那么说明你对自己的信用卡没有足够的控制力或者说明你没有办法来管理它。
9、 你是不是曾经将信用卡透支？
透支你的信用将对你的个人信用报告中的贷存比率有所影响，同时也表明你的他理财不善或者是没有安排好。
10、 你有没有保留小票？
从财务这个角度，保留小票是十分重要的，特别是去交税的时候。同时它对于保存你的消费记录是无价的。
11、 你在购买大件物品之前会作一些调查研究吗？
一个男人买大件物品之前做一些调查的话，就会知道那能使他节省一大笔钱同时买到一个很好质量的商品。如果你也是这么一个人，那么这会让男人知道你有多聪明。
12、 你有什么债务？
你不要以为你仅仅娶了或是嫁了一个人，你同时也是承担你的相关的债权与债务。婚前最好知道对方的债务，这会影响你自己的经济状况及未来。
13、 你有没有检查自己的账务？是不用计算机上网查还是纸上算算，多长时间检查一次？
这个问题可以让你知道你的那一半清楚自己的经济状况，了解他的钱是如何增多，或者不清楚不了解。如果你知道他会上网或者用纸计算一下自己的账务，那你就知道他很乐于管理自己的小金库。现在网上银行十分流行，如果你们中有一个善于使用网上银行，这会使你们的经济管理更加方便。
14、 你有没有做过预算或者消费计划？
答案将揭示你的配偶是如何作个人财务管理。了解了对方现在以及将来的用钱计划是很有用的，它可以帮助清除一些财务上和障碍，消除日后可能产生的一些误解。你们俩可以在如何用钱、存钱方面达成一致。
15、 你有没有保存工资单？
保存工资存根可以了解并确认你的个人收入。如果你们要一起贷款买房子，那么你需要将你们工资单给抵押公司（中国也就是银行了，哈哈！）看。
16、 你有医疗保险吗？
当你生病时，医疗保险将会保护好你们这个刚组合的家庭的金融安全。请一些有更好的投保计划的人作比较。那些有着很好的福利待遇的人，在婚后一定考虑将对方纳入到他或她的保单上的。
17、 你有人寿保险吗？
你们双方都应有足够多的保险，特别是你计划要孩子。因为当一些不幸的事发生在你或者你的配偶身上，那么你们整个家庭的用钱都将如履薄冰。
18、 你是否清楚单位给你的福利待遇吗？
这一点很重要。如果你不知道，一定去人事处了解清楚，并确保你可以充分利用好它。甚至是体育馆会员优惠的福利也可以帮助你节省一些钱的。了解清楚你是否可以加入单位的退休金计划及其时间，一定作个登记。
19、 你是否看过去年的个人信用报告？
大约有32%的美国人不知道信用报告的内容，虽然我们认为信用报告中有一些不准确的信息，但这个比例仍然让人害怕。了解你的信用报告，知道你的信用等级，这一点很重要，它可以确认你是有一个良好的信用记录或是有一个让银行抛弃你的不良记录。
20、 你是否曾经有过一个贷款担保人？
理想的回答是没有，因为如果贷款需要一个贷款担保人的话，那么表明你没有为你的贷款作好应有的准备。如果回答是肯定的，那么尽快将你的个人信用建立起来，提高你的信用等级。信用很好的机构或是单位里面的金融顾问在这方面会对你有帮助的。
21、 你是否是其他人的贷款担保人？
当你是一个贷款担保人的话，你将成为银行账户的保护人，这意味着如果被担保人无力偿还，你将对他的财务负责。这可以破坏你及你的配偶的经济的稳定性及个人信用。
22、 你是否有未交的税或未还的抵押款？
你可以能过能利用的税额优惠来避免过多的支付税款，但是你欠的必须支付。税款抵押会将你的房子，及其它财产或是更多钱搭上。
23、 你是否曾经负债？
这同样说明你的经济状况并不完美，了解你的配偶欠拖欠银行的原因，了解债务是否付清。如果没有，一定鼓励他小心处理或你们一起将它处理了。
24、 你是否买了美国国库券？
如果你手上有钱要存起来，并且这钱将于孩子的教育，同时你并不想经常打理它，那么国库券对你来说是一个简单的选择。如果你用孩子的名字来购买国库券，那么当你兑换现金时，你将会得到税收方面的优惠。
25、 你是否购买了共同基金（基金）或者股票？
拥有基金或者股票表明你想维护自己的金融安全及建立自己的财富。每月投资或者定期投资更是表明你个人财务的稳定性。